Bagging machine



F. BELMONT BAGGING MACHINE Oct. 27, 1953 5 Sheet -Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 10, 1950 INVENTOR.

Oct; 27, 1953 F. BELMONT 2,657,003

BAGGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 10, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FEQNU EZMOfi/T I BY Oct. 27, 1953 F. BELMONT 2,657,003

BAGGING MACHINE.

Filed Aug. 10, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 \lLi i I INVENTOR.

FQfiA/K 562 M0/V7' F. BELMONT BAGGING MACHINE Oct. 27, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 10, 1950 fi prraeA/es/s Patented Oct. 27, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BAGGING MACHINE Frank Belmont, Anaheim, Calif.

Application August 10, 1950, Serial N 0. 178,589

12 Claims.

This invention relates to a bagging machine and particularly to an improved type bagging machine for the purpose of packaging fruit and preferably citrus fruit.

The machine is adapted for use in a packing ho s having a conv or or @1 14? p which the fruit passes, and comprises a tilt beam the outer end of which Su ports the bag being filled and is so arranged that upon the bag acquiring the desired weight of contents, the bag is automatically released, while a gate closes the chute to prevent overfilling or spilling of produce onto the floor.

It is one object of this invention to provide a filling machine of the type described, in which means is provided for automatically releasing elastic closure bags so that the filled bag is removed from the machine automatically.

It is another object of this invention to provide means for supporting the bag while being filled to prevent bruising oi the fruit, which meansis however rendered inoperative during the latter part of the filling operation to insure complete filling of the bags, I

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved bag filling mechanism having gate action which functions to prevent excess fruit from spilling into the bags.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bag filling machine which can be used with either'elastic closure fruit bags or draw I string type fruit bags.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a bag filling machine of the type described which is simple and economical to construct.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the an,- ne'xed specification in which:

Figure l is a. plan view partly in section of a device embodyingthe present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view partly in section of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front view of the device shown in Figure 1. I

Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation with parts removed for clarity of description.

Figure 6 is a schematic wiring diagram.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary perspective elevation of an alternative embodiment of the gate closing mechanism. I

Figure 8 is a vertical section of the device shown in Figure -7.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the inventionis shown as comprising a name 2 l having longitudinally extending side members H and i2, a rear crossbar l3, an end plate [4 and two upwardly extending hollow rectangular posts I and [6.

A tilt beam i1 is provided to which is affixed a crosspiece t8 the ends of which are journaled upon pivots IS. The tilt beam I1 is welded or otherwise secured to a front crosspiece to which is afiixed a face plate 2| and a pair of upstanding legs 22 and 23.

The crosspiece I8 is provided with a block 24 which is provided at its forward side with a slot 25 forming a slidefor the rear end 23 of a bag supporting arm 21. The bag supporting arm 21 is pivotally mounted as at 28 in an opening 23 in the crosspiece 20 and face plate 2i.

A coil spring 30 is provided having one end fastened to the rear end 26 of the arm 2! and the other end fastened to the tilt beam IT, as shown in Figure 1.

The face plate 2| and crosspiece 2B are provided with an opening 32 through which extends a second bag supporting arm 33. Each of the bag supporting arms 21 and 33 is bent outwardly as at 34, extends longitudinally thereafter as at 35, is then bent inwardly as at 36 and again outwardly as at 31 forming a V. The inner end of the arm 33 is journaled in a pivot 38 carried by the crosspiece I8 and mounts intermediate its ends a pinion 39 and a notched collar lip, A bracket 4| is mounted upon the side member I2 and a dogging member 42 is pivoted thereon with its inner end adapted to engage in the notch or the collar to prevent rotation of the arm 33.

a A crosspiece 44 is provided between the legs 22 and 23' and a supporting bar 45 extends rearwardl'y therefrom upon which is mounted a post 26. The post 45, at the top thereof, is provided with a slotted member as which forms a guide for the rod 47. The rod 1 has a rack 43 formed on the upper end thereof adapted to engage the pinion 39. A post 53 is carried by the tilt beam ii and extends transversely thereof and at its outer or free end is provided with a channel 5i forming an npp'er guide for the rack is. A stop 52 is carried by the post 46 and a pin 53 is provided on the rod 41.

A pair of bearing members 54 and 55 are provided upon the legs 22 and 23 and a shaft 56 is journaled therein. A pan 5'! is provided extending downwardly from the shaft 53 and is afiixed to the shaft 56 as shown. The shaft also carries a rearwardly extending arm 53 alfi xed rigidly thereto and the inner end of the arm 58 is provided with a notch 59 adapted to engage the pin 53.

The pan is provided with a bracket 66 which pivotally mounts a link ti. The link GI has its rearward end pivotally connected to a link G2. A downwardly extending post 33 is carried by the tilt arm I? and pivotally mounts the link 62 as at 64. To the upper end of the link 52 there is attached a coil spring 55 the end of which is afiixed in a bore in the end of adjusting screw 56. Adjusting screw 65 is received in a threaded collar 5'5 carried by an arm 58 extending laterally from the lower end or" the post 53.

The assembly just described constitutes an overcenter spring mechanism.

The rod 2.? has affixed thereto bracket i8 having a member ii which is apertured to receive a shaft I2 secured thereto by a lock nut I3 and an adjusting nut "id. The shaft "I2 is operatively connected to a vacuum retarder 15 mounted by the post 16 on the tilt arm 5?. The vacuum retarder 75 operates to slow the downward movement of the rod ll for the purpose hereinafter described.

Depending from the frame member i2 is a post 18 which pivotally mounts a gate operating lever 79. The forward end of the gate operating lever is is provided with a curved slide 3 3 which receives the pin 81 carried between the bifurcated lower end of a gate operating rod 32. The gate operating rod S2 extends upwardly in hollow post I5. The post it is provided on its forward edge with a slot 83 and an arm 8 affixed to the rod e2 extends through slot 83 and has a curved slide 85 formed thereon adapted to receive the pin 85 carried by the side arm 3'. of the gate 88. The gate is provided with two side arms 81 and 8% which are pivoted respectively from the extensions '93 and 9I of posts I5 and It respectively. i

A rod 93 is journaled between the posts i5 and i5 and affixed thereto is a main gate 94.

The rearward end of the gate operating lever 79 is pivotally connected to a link 36. The link 93 is operated by a solenoid Eli which raises and lowers the rear end of the lever I9. Lever '38 has an extension 9's adapted to actuate a holding switch 99 when the rear end of the lever '55. is moved in a clockwise direction (Figure 2) by the solenoid 97.

The beam I? carries a rod I55 operably connected to a dashpot ItI to prevent surging.

A microswitch $55 is pivotally mounted as by a pin 36 on the plate i4 and a tension spring iGI has one end connected to a pin H38 on the microswitch and on the other end to a frame extension 99. A rod I II} extends through the face plate 2% and has an adjusting knob III thereon. The other end. of the rod I it extends through the rear plate Hi and carries a cam H2 upon which rests the lower side of the microswitch IE5. The tilt beam H has an extension H3 from which depends an L-shaped member 5 i adapted to have its leg H5 extend beneath the microswitch I05. A coil spring I I5 is affixed to the rear end of the extension H3 and to the extension me by an adjusting screw Ill. By means of turning the adjusting knob Hi, the shaft II!) may be rotated thus turning the cam H2 and raising or lowering the microswitch I135.

The lever -I9 has an upwardly extending member I25 affixed thereto near the forward end which has a portion I2! adapted to engage the pivoted dogging member 42 and release the same 4 from the notch in the collar 40 upon actuation of the lever 2'9.

A microswitch I22 is provided operably associated with the pan 5? and adapted to be opened on raising of the pan 5? by any suitable mechanism, not shown.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 6 there is illustrated a wiring diagram. The switch I22 is normally closed while the switches IE5 and 99 are normally open. Conduits I25 and I26 are connected to any suitable source of power and energize the solenoid 91 through the switches I95, 99 and i22 when desired.

The switch es is a holding switch. As the raising of the tilt arm I? to a horizontal position would open the switch I05 and break the circuit to the solenoid ill, the switch 99 is employed which is closed when the solenoid Ql' is energized by means of the extension 98 of the lever 79, thus the return of the beam is prevented from breaking the circuit to the solenoid. However, as the switch I22 is operated by raising of the pan 51, such raising of the pan will open the switch I22 and permit the gates to open.

A hood He may be provided which serves to protect the mechanism and also as a guide for articles being packaged.

The device above-described is designed for use in a packing house having a chute or runway I55 upon which are discharged items to be packed such as citrus fruit, apples, etc. The chute I55 is tilted to cause the objects to travel to the left .Figure 2) and bear against the gate 84 when it is closed.

The operation of the above-described device is as follows:

Assuming the gate 534 is closed, articles such as oranges are on the chute I50, the operator first places the open mouth of a bag I65 on the arms 2? and 35 which will be in the position shown in Figure 2 in full lines, i. e., the arm 35 will be in its downward position. If an elastic closure fruit bag such as shown in copending application, Frank Belmont, Serial No. 104,970, now Patent No. 2,585,214, is used, the elastic will hold the bag tightly in the notch formed by the portions 36 and 3'! and on the portions 34.

After the bag has been placed in position, the operator raises the pan ill to the position shown in Figure 2. This raising of the pan 5'! brings the arm 58 into contact with the pin 53 forcing the rod 4'1 carrying the rack 43 downwardly, thus rotating the pinion 39 and the arm 33 to its horizontal position as shown in Figure 5.

The raising of the pan 5? at the same time opens the switch i2?! thus breaking the circuit to the solenoid 9'5. The breaking of the circuit to the solenoid 9'! permits the gate 6-. under the pressure of the fruit to bear suiiciently against the gate 58 to cause the gates to open and fall into the position shown in Figure 2, wherein the gate 5:5 forms a delivery for the fruit into the bag I60. The raising of the pan 5? and the consequent rotation of the arm 33 into the horizontal position permits the dogging member 42 to engage in the notch of the collar 43 and thus prevent rotation of the arm 33 during filling. As the bag continues to fill, the pan 5'! may be progre slvely depressed from the position shown in Figure 2 in phantom to the position shown in full lines. In so doing, the pan forces the overcenter mechanism formed by the links BI and 62 overcenter. As the bag is then completely supported from the arm 21 and 33, which are themselves carried by the tilt beam I1, the tilt beam I! will shown) andfi'fia I v I ilarto the posts I5 and I 6 in 'the p'revious embodi- "epithet be pivoted counterclockwise (Figures about the Lpivots "l 9 against "the iforceof the coil spring H6.

while the gate 88 'pivotsjin a counterclockwise position. In a fully closed position, the gate '88 has a portion extending above the "upper portion of the gate 94. This closing ofjthe gates forces back any fruit attempting to spill out andoverfill the bag. v v I M I As the lever "T9 is rotated to close the'gates, it also brings the {member [2] into engagement with the dogging "member 42 and frees the dogging member from 'the notch of the collar 40. The arm 33 is thus in position to be rotated under the force of the weight of the fruit into its downwardly extending position. In'order, however, to prevent too rapid rotation of the arm 33, which 'might'effect release of the'b'ag prior to complete filling, the downward movement of the rod 41 is slowed by means of the vacuum retarder 15. As the arm 33 is rotated to its vertical position, the bag 60 is released and if a bag of the elastic closure type is used it may merely be permitted to fall to "a 'suitablebonveying mechanism dis.. posed 'beneathth'e arm 33. Inthis condition the device is now prepared for the'subsequent operation.

V R' fel'llllg'lldw more particularly to Figures 7 and a, there "is illustrated therein a simplified embodiment of the "gate operating mechanism. This simplified embodimentoperates throughthe same'circuits andin the "same manner as the previous embodiment and "similar structure has been given similar numerals. It will 'be appreciated "that the portions of the "device not illustrated are the same the two embodiments. p

In this'embodiin'ent "the frame is provided with a crosspie'ce or transverse extension l3ato which,

in 3 case, the post 1'1; is "afiixed. It win he "noted that in the change from the embodiment shown in Figures 1-6 to the embodiment shown 'in Figures '7 and 8, the

post 18 and consequently the solenoid 9! and its associated mechanism have been moved froir'n the righthand side of the device to the lefthand side.

v before, "the post 18 pivotally mounts a gate operating lever designated as 194. 'Theforward end of the gate operating lever 19a is bifurcated fa'nd receives 'a pin 81a which pivotally mounts link I30. flhe link [30 is pivotally connected at its upper end to a bracket l'3l which bracket is ailixed to theouter'edgeoffa gate 88a. The gate 858a lS piVOtal1y"mOlint8d by being afiixed to a shafts-8a journale'din the upright posts 15a (not r'nent but in this case no longer nee be hollow posts. The other vend or the operating lever 19d,

as before, is pivotanyecnncted to aii'n'k'es which it "will be appreciated tha'tjin this embodiment 'only on'ega'te is provided and hence the main gate "E4 is dispensed with.

present invention, 'it' will be appreciated-by those skilled in the'art'th'at various changes andmodifications can be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention and it is "intended to cover herein all such changes-and modifications as'c'ome within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. 'A packaging machine for handling articles such as'citrus fruit,"apples, potatoes and thelike comprising: a frame; a beam pivoted on said "frame; a pair of spaced arms carried "bysaid beam; said arms being shaped to form bag'retaining members; one of said arms being pivotally mounted for turning movement to bag releasing position; a pan pivotally mounted on said beam for movement into and out of position underlying said arms for supporting from the bottom a bag, retained by said arms, said pan being adapted to pivot in a direction to lower its area of support upon progressive filling of the bag; a gate operable to control flow of saidarticl'es through'said machine; means responsive to a predetermined weight of said article's carried by said arms to close said gate; and means'opera'ble to "restrain turning movement of said pivotally mounted'a'rm until said predetermined weight is'ca'rried by'said arms. I

2. A packaging machine forhan'dlin'g articles such as citrus fruit,apples, potatoes-and'the like comprising: a frame; a beam pivoted on said frame; a pair of spaced arms carried by said beam; sid arms being shapedto'form bag retaining members; one of said arms "being pivotally mounted for turning movement to bag releasing position; a pan pivotally mounted onsaidbeam for movement into andout of position underlying said arms and adapted to support from the bottom a bag retained by said arms; a gate operable to control flow of said articles through said machine; means responsive to a predetermined weight of said articles carried by said arms to close said gate; means operableto restrain turning movement of said pivotally mounted arm until said predetermined weight is carried by sa'id arms; and means connecting said pan and said pivotally mounted arm for turning said arm to bag retaining position on movement of said pan into position underlying said arms. I

A packaging machine for handlin -articles such as citrus fruit, appleapotatoes and thelike comprising: a frame; a beam pivotedon said frame; a pair of spaced arms carried by said beam; said armsbeing shaped to rorm'bagremounted for 'movement'towards and away from said pivotally mounted arm resilient'means biasing said other arm away from said -pi". otally mounted arm; a pan pivotallymounted-on sald beam for movement into and' out of position underlyin said arms for supporting from -the bottom a bag retained 'bysaid armsysaid pa'n being adapted topivot in adirectionto lower its area of support upon prog i 'essive nllirig of the bag; a gate operable to control flow of said articles through said machine; means responsive to a predetermined weight of said articles car- 'ied by said arms to close said gate; and means operable to restrain turning movement of said pivotally mounted arm until said predetermined weight is carried by said arms.

4. A packaging machine for handling articles such as citrus fruit, apples, potatoes and the like comprising: a frame; a beam pivoted on said frame; a pair of spaced arms carried by said beam; said arms being shaped to form bag retaining members; one of said arms being pivotally mounted for turning movement to bag releasing position; the other of said arms being mounted for movement towards and away from said pivotally mounted arm; resilient means biasing said other arm away from said pivotally mounted arm; a pan pivotally mounted on said beam for movement into and out of position underlying said arms and adapted to support from the bottom a ba retained by said arms; a gate operable to control flow of said articles through said machine; means responsive to a predetermined weight of said articles carried by said arms to close said gate; means operable to restrain turning movement or" said pivotally mounted arm until said predetermined weight is carried by said arms; and means connecting said pan and said pivotally mounted arm for turning said arm to bag retaining position on movement of said pan into position underly ng said arms.

5. A packaging machine for handling articles such as citrus fruit, apples, potatoes and the like comprising: a frame; a beam pivoted on said frame; a pair of spaced arms carried by said beam; said arms being shaped to form bag retaining members; one of said arms being pivotally mounted for turning movement to bag releasing position; a pan pivotally mounted on said beam for movement into and out of position underlying said arms and adapted to support from the bottom a bag retained by said arms; a gate operable to control fiow of said articles through said machine; means responsive to a predetermined weight of said articles carried by said arms to close said gate; means operable to restrain turning movement of pivotally mounted arm until said predetermined weight is carried by said arms; and resilient means biasing said pan towards said underlying position during the major portion of each packaging operation; said pan being adapted to pivot in a direction away from said underlying position upon progressive filling of the bag.

6. A packaging machine for handling articles such as citrus fruit, apples, potatoes and the like comprising: a frame; a beam pivoted on said frame; a pair of spaced arms carried by said beam; said arms being shaped to form bag retaining members; one of said arms being pivotally mounted for turning movement to bag releasing position; a pan pivotally mounted on said beam for movement into and out of position underlying said arms and adapted to support from the bottom a bag retained by said arm; a gate operable to control flow of said articles through said machine; means responsive to a predetermined weight of said articles carried by said arms to close said gate; means operable to restrain turning movement of said pivotally mounted arm until said predetermined weight is carried by said arms; means connecting said pan and said pivotally mounted arm for turning 1 said arm to bag retaining position on movement of said pan into position underlying said arms; and resilient means biasing said pan towards said underlying position during the major portion of each packaging operation; said pan being adapted to pivot in a direction away from said underlying position upon progressive filling of the bag.

'7. A packaging machine for handling articles such as citrus fruit, apples, potatoes and the like comprising: a frame; a beam pivoted on the frame; a pair of spaced arms carried by said beam; said arms being shaped to form bag retaining members; the first of said arms being pivotally mounted for turning movement to bag releasing position; the second of said arms being pivotally mounted intermediate its ends for movement of the free end thereof towards and away from said first arm; resilient means biasing said free end away from said first arm; a gate mounted on said frame and operable to control flow of said articles through said machine; linkage means associated with said gate; a solenoid for actuating said linkage means to close said gate; a switch for controlling said solenoid; means carried by said beam for engaging said switch when a predetermined weight of said articles is carried by said arms; and dogging means operable to restrain turning movement of said first arm until said predetermined weight is carried by said arms.

8. A packaging machine for handling articles such as citrus fruit, apples, potatoes and the like comprising: a frame; a beam pivoted on the frame; a pair of spaced arms carried by said beam; said arms being shaped to form ba retaining members; the first of said arms being pivotally mounted for turning movement to bag releasing position; the second of said arm being pivotally mounted intermediate its ends for movement of the free end thereof towards and away from said first arm; resilient means biasing said free end away from said first arm; a gate mounted on said frame and operable to control flow of said articles through said machine; linkage means associated with said gate; a solenoid for actuating said linkage means to close said'gate; a switch for controlling said solenoid; means carried by said beam for engaging said switch when a predetermined weight of said articles is carried by said arms; dogging means operable to restrain turning movement of said first arm until said predetermined weight is carried by said arms; and means carried by said linkage and operable on actuation of said linkage to disengage said dogging means.

9. A packaging machine for handling articles such as citrus fruit, apples, potatoes and the like comprising: a frame; a beam pivoted on the frame; a pair of spaced arms carried by said beam; said arms being shaped to form bag retaining members; the first of said arms being pivotally mounted for turning movement to bag releasing position; the second of said arms being pivotally mounted intermediate its ends for movement of the free end thereof towards and away from said first arm; resilient means biasing said free end away from said first arm; a pan pivotally mounted on said beam for movement into and out of position underlying said arms and adapted to support from the bottom a bag retained by said arms; a gate mounted on said frame and operable to control flow of said articles through said machine; linkage means associated With d ate; a solenoid for actuating said linkage means to close said gate; a

switch for controlling said solenoid; means carried by said beam for engaging said switch when a predetermined weight of said articles is carried by said arms; dogging means operable to restrain turning movement of said first arm until said predetermined weight is carried by said arms; means carried by said linkage and operable on actuation of said linkage to disengage said dogging means; and means connecting said pan and said first arm for turning said arm to bag retaining position on movement of said pan into position underlying said arms.

10. A packaging machine for handling articles such as citrus fruit, apples, potatoes and the like comprising: a frame; a beam pivoted on the frame; a pair of spaced arms carried by said beam; said arms being shaped to form bag retaining members; the first of said arms being pivotally mounted for turning movement to bag releasin position; the second of said arms being pivotally mounted intermediate its ends for movement of the free end thereof towards and away from said first arm; resilient means biasing said free end away from said first arm; a pan pivotally mounted on said beam for movement into and out of position underlying said arms for supporting from the bottom a bag retained by said arms, said pan being adapted to pivot in a direction to lower its area of support upon progressive filling of the bag; a gate mounted on said frame and operable to control flow of said articles through said machine; linkage means associated with said gate; a solenoid for actuating said linkage means to close said gate; a switch for controlling said solenoid; means carried by said beam for engaging said switch when a predetermined weight of said articles is carried by said arms; dogging means operable to restrain turning movement of said first arm until said predetermined weight is carried by said arms; means carried by said linkage and operable on actuation of said linkage to disengage said dogging means; means connecting said pan and said first arm for turning said arm to bag retaining position on movement of said pan into position underlying said arms; and a second switch associated with said pan for breaking the circuit to said solenoid to open said gate when said pan is moved to said underlying position.

11. A packaging machine for handling articles such as citrus fruit, apples, potatoes and the like comprising: a frame; a beam pivoted on said frame; a pair of spaced arms carried by said beam; said arms being shaped to form bag retaining members; one of said arms being pivotally mounted for turning movement to bag releasing position; a pan pivotally mounted on said beam for movement into and out of position underlying said arms and adapted to support from the bottom a bag retained by said arms; a gate operable to control flow of said articles through said machine; means respon- 10 sive to a predetermined weight of said articles carried by said arms to close said gate; means operable to restrain turning movement of said pivotally mounted arm until said predetermined weight is carried by said arms; and resilient means biasing said pan towards said underlying position during the major portion of each packaging operation; said pan being adapted to pivot in a direction away from said underlying position upon progressive filling of the bag; the weight of said resilient means being less than said predetermined weight.

12. A packaging machine for handling articles such as citrus fruit, apples, potatoes and the like comprising a frame; a beam pivoted on the frame; a pair of spaced arms carried by said beams; said arms being shaped to form bag retaining members; the first of said arms being pivotally mounted for turning movement to bag releasing position; the second of said arms being pivotally mounted intermediate its ends for movement of the free end thereof towards and away from said first arm; resilient means biasing said free end away from said first arm for supporting from the bottom a bag retained by said arms; a pan pivotally mounted on said beam for movement into and out of position underlying said arms; said pan being adapted to pivot in a direction to lower its area of support upon progressive filling of the bag; a gate mounted on said frame and operable to control flow of said articles through said machine; linkage means associated with said gate; a solenoid for actuating said linkagemeans to close said gate; a switch for controlling said solenoid; means carried by said beam for engaging said switch when a predetermined weight of said articles is carried by said arms; and dogging means operable to restrain turning movement of said first arm until said predetermined weight is carried by said arms; and means operably connected to said pan for disengagement of said dogging means upon movement of the pan out of the position underlying said arms.

FRANK BELMONT.

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